Premier League: Pep Guardiola Praises Manchester City's Matteo Kovacic, Says 'Now Opponents Know They Cannot Leave Him Alone'

Mateo Kovacic scored either side of halftime to fire Manchester City to an entertaining 3-2 victory over Fulham at a sun-drenched Etihad Stadium on Saturday, as the hosts kept their grip on second place in the Premier League standings.

While City dominated possession early on, Fulham grew into the game and were first on the scoresheet when Andreas Pereira stabbed it home in the 26th minute after a crafty back heel from Mexican Raul Jimenez.

City equalised six minutes later when Fulham struggled to clear a corner and the ball fell to Kovacic, who took one touch before firing it in.

“We always say that there are no easy games,” Kovacic said. “We dominated in the beginning and couldn’t score, conceded the goal and then came back quickly.

“In the end we won it and it was a tough game against an opponent in good form, so for us it is good to continue winning,” he added.

Thousands of fans had not yet returned to their seats from halftime when the midfielder grabbed his second — and third league goal this season — in the 47th minute when he latched onto a pass from Jack Grealish and rifled home another terrific finish from the edge of the area.

Kovacic, whose wife is pregnant, dedicated his goals to “the little one.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Kovacic, who remained free on the edge of the box for his two goals.

“Maybe it happens when he scores two goals,” Guardiola said.

“He is not a guy who scores normally.

“They defended with five at the back after we started really well. In two minutes we had two chances.

“When they defend five there is one man free on the edge of the box and that is Kovacic. Jimenez has to defend Kovacic but then there are no transitions.

“The two goals today in that position were because they could not defend it. The first goal was brilliant, the second as well.

“We have to exploit more against teams that play five at the back. Kova was really important. Now the opponents know they cannot leave him alone, otherwise he can score a goal,” he added.

(With inputs from Agencies)